A Miami high school has found itself under investigation after video emerged of a caged tiger at the prom.
The tiger, along with an African fennec fox, a lemur, and two macaw parrots were at the Christopher Columbus High School prom as part of the event's jungle theme, the Miami Herald reports.
The fox, lemur and parrots caused little controversy, but the tiger's clear discomfort bothered some of the students and parents in attendance.
"How shameful for Christopher Columbus High school ... showing its students on prom night who is the 'king of the jungle'," one upset teenager wrote on Facebook.
"This poor tiger was used as an EXOTIC amusement for the mindless teenagers who were present, it is not the students fault to be so naive BUT it's the CCHS STAFF who arranged this event."
Ron Magill, an expert on animal behaviour from ZooMiami, told the Miami Herald it's clear the tiger was very uncomfortable.
"The tiger is clearly looking for a way to get out of that situation, it's not difficult to interpret that behaviour," he said.
"He was surrounded by people, cell phones, lights, jugglers juggling fire."
The school was initially proud of the tiger's presence and posted photos of it on social media, but these were deleted as the controversy grew, CNN reports.
Principal David Pugh issued a statement apologising for any offence caused. In another statement the school claimed the tiger was "in a relaxed state" during the performance.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is now investigating, CNN reports.
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